J Mov Disord.  2019 Jan;12(1):14-21. 10.14802/jmd.18051.

Pseudobulbar Affect in Parkinsonian Disorders: A Review

• Hakimi M
• Maurer CW

• KMID: 2438673
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.14802/jmd.18051

Abstract

Pseudobulbar affect (PBA) is a neurological symptom of inappropriate and uncontrollable laughter or crying that occurs secondary to a variety of neurological conditions, including parkinsonian disorders. PBA is a socially and emotionally debilitating symptom that has been estimated to affect 3.6% to 42.5% of the population with Parkinson's disease. While indexing measures and treatment options for PBA have been extensively studied in neurological conditions such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and multiple sclerosis, there has been considerably less attention given in the literature to PBA in parkinsonian disorders. The purpose of this review is to discuss the pathophysiology of PBA, its prevalence and impact on quality of life in parkinsonian disorders, and the treatment options currently available. Areas requiring further study, including the development of standardized, cross-culturally validated methods of symptom assessment, and evidence-based studies exploring the efficacy of current treatment options in parkinsonian disorders, are also highlighted.

Keyword

Pseudobulbar affect; Parkinson's disease; parkinsonism

MeSH Terms

Abstracting and Indexing as Topic
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Crying
Laughter
Multiple Sclerosis
Parkinson Disease
Parkinsonian Disorders*
Prevalence
Quality of Life
Symptom Assessment